Abilities First, Inc., an affiliate of the Abilities Partnership of the Hudson Valley, has been making a difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities for almost sixty years. We offer a wide variety of services including school and preschool programs, day habilitation, residential habilitation, community habilitation, and employment services.

Abilities First recognizes the value of diverse experiences, identities, and backgrounds to and does not discriminate in hiring. We are inclusive, welcoming and supportive of people of varying abilities, races, ethnicities, religions, socio-economic status, gender and gender identities. Abilities First is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Abilities First is seeking Teacher Assistants in our School Program located in Poughkeepsie, NY. This position attends to the educational, physical, social and emotional needs of the students while assisting the Classroom Teacher with classroom activities.

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 3:00pm; 32.5 hours per week, 48 weeks per year. This position follows the school calendar (September – June), with a 6-week summer program.

Responsibilities include:

• Assumes responsibility of the classroom in the absence of the Classroom Teacher.
• Assists in the organization and arrangement of the classroom in order to provide a beneficial learning environment to meet each student’s individual needs.
• Attend therapy sessions with students to allow for appropriate carryover in the classroom.
• Escorts and assists students (via wheelchair, walker, etc.) to and from school buses while providing opportunities for students’ increased independence in mobility and orientation.
• Perform wheelchair/equipment transporting, transferring and lifting.
• Toilet children and use appropriate adaptive equipment if necessary.
• Change clothing when wet or soiled.
• Sets out lunches and adaptive feeding equipment, cut up or mash food as required, feed students following OT procedures, and provide opportunities for students’ increased independence in meal preparation.
• Set up computers, communication device systems and related adaptive equipment.

This is a full-time position eligible for these benefits:

• Vacation, sick, personal, and holiday time off (or paid time off on the school calendar)
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance options
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Employer paid life insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Increased earning potential with online training through College of Direct Support
• On Demand Payment – access your earnings as early as the next day
• Discounts with Verizon, AT&T, Royal Carting, etc.
• And More!

• High School Diploma or equivalent, plus six (6) college credits in early childhood development, special education, psychology, or other related human services fields.
• Certificate from NYS Department of Education as Teaching Assistant.
• One (1) year experience with satisfactory job performance as Teacher Aide preferred.
• Have the ability to push and pull students in wheelchairs, lift, bend, squat, turn in the knees, pivot and grasp with both hands (in order to properly and safely perform the techniques taught in CPR/First Aid, behavior intervention techniques, and lifting and carrying techniques), with or without a reasonable accommodation.